TOPA & DOPA: Tenant Purchase Rights

TOPA: Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act

TOPA gives DC renters a right of first refusal when their landlord wants to sell their building. This means tenants can form a tenant association and have the opportunity to purchase the building themselves — or assign that right to a nonprofit or the District — before an outside buyer can close the deal.

TOPA was passed in 1980 and has helped thousands of DC renters purchase or preserve their homes. It is considered one of the strongest tenant-protection laws in the country.

Why does TOPA come up in this election?

Recent amendments to TOPA have narrowed its scope. Several candidates in the 2026 primary have called for restoring or strengthening TOPA as an anti-displacement tool, particularly as gentrification continues in neighborhoods across Ward 1 and the District at large.

DOPA: District Opportunity to Purchase Act

DOPA gives the District government itself a right to purchase certain multifamily rental buildings when they go on the market. Rather than private buyers converting buildings to condominiums or market-rate rentals, the District can step in to acquire and preserve the affordable units.

DOPA is a newer and less widely used tool than TOPA, but it has gained attention in the 2026 campaign — particularly among Ward 1 candidates who want to use it to prevent displacement in rapidly changing neighborhoods.